If you think you might be pregnant, you likely have many questions. Several women have heard the phrases "emergency contraception" (EC) and "abortion pill"; however, there is a great deal of confusion between them, as emergency contraception (Plan B) and the abortion pill are two different medications used at different stages.
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception (EC) can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sexual contact to prevent pregnancy. EC primarily works by delaying or inhibiting ovulation so an egg cannot be fertilized. In addition, if an egg has already been fertilized, EC may prevent the fertilized egg from attaching itself to the uterus. Because of this, EC is meant to prevent pregnancy before it occurs and works best when taken as soon as possible after intercourse, before pregnancy is confirmed. EC is NOT an abortion pill and WILL NOT terminate a pregnancy after it has already occurred.
The Abortion Pill
Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy; however, the abortion pill is used to terminate a pregnancy that has already occurred. The abortion pill consists of two medications administered together. The first, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, which is necessary for a pregnancy to continue. Without enough progesterone, the uterine lining breaks down, which ends the pregnancy. Misoprostol is the second medication, used about one or two days after taking mifepristone, and helps to contract the uterus to pass the pregnancy from the body. The FDA has approved this type of medication abortion protocol in the US up to 70 days past the first day of your last menstrual period. This time frame is short enough as is, especially since you are still processing your pregnancy news.
Both medications may produce different physical experiences. Plan B, for example, can be associated with mild nausea or a delay in the next menstrual cycle. Medication abortion, on the other hand, can involve severe cramping, heavy bleeding, fever, or chills. You must give careful consideration to both your physical and emotional well-being, because this will be a medical procedure for you.
Abortion Pill Requirements in North Carolina
If you live in Wake or Johnston County and are considering the abortion pill, it helps to know North Carolina's requirements before moving forward. Per North Carolina law, you must meet in person with a healthcare provider for an examination and wait 72 hours before having the procedure completed so that you will have all of the facts at hand to make your decision. Before you go to a clinic, it's important to confirm your pregnancy with medical testing.
Most women who visit us need to confirm their pregnancy before they can make any further decisions. To help you determine the status of your pregnancy, iChoose provides free pregnancy tests and limited ultrasounds. Specifically, an ultrasound can help confirm three things: where the pregnancy is located, how far along you are, and whether the pregnancy is viable.
Viability is a concern because studies have shown that 10 to 20 percent of confirmed pregnancies will naturally miscarry. If your pregnancy is determined to be non-viable, there won't be any need to carry out either a medical or surgical abortion. In addition, if you need to rule out an ectopic pregnancy (about 2 percent of confirmed pregnancies), the ultrasound will provide a means to verify that the pregnancy is located in the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies occur outside the uterus and can pose a serious threat to your health.
Take the time you need to talk through your choices with no rush. If you have further questions about emergency contraception or would like to discuss your options for continuing your pregnancy or ending your pregnancy, we are willing to talk to you!
If you would like to speak to someone in private about your personal situation, please call our Clayton office; we are available at (919) 585-4353. Our office is located at 540 Veterans Parkway, Clayton, NC 27520. You may also call our Knightdale office at (919) 679-3232 or visit us at 4019 Village Park Dr, Knightdale, NC 27545. Our offices serve men and women throughout the Raleigh area, and our staff is committed to providing you with the answers you deserve.